word 27

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

pother

PRONUNCIATION:

(POTH-uhr)

MEANING:

noun: 1. A commotion or fuss. 2. Mental turmoil. 3. A smothering cloud of dust or smoke.
verb tr.: To confuse or worry someone.
verb intr.: To worry or fuss.

ETYMOLOGY:

Of unknown origin.

USAGE:

"Very little will change whether that appointee is Caroline Kennedy or someone else. So why all the pother?"
Ed Quillen; Expanded Non-story Season; Denver Post; Dec 28, 2008.
Explore "pother" in the Visual Thesaurus.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations. -Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784)